wrangler
Americannoun
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wranglers
plural
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a cowboy, especially one in charge of saddle horses.
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a person who wrangles or disputes.
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(at Cambridge University, England) a person placed in the first class in the mathematics tripos.
noun
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one who wrangles
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a herder; cowboy
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a person who handles or controls animals involved in the making of a film or television programme
a snake wrangler
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(at Cambridge University) a candidate who has obtained first-class honours in Part II of the mathematics tripos. The wrangler with the highest marks is called the senior wrangler
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of wrangler
1505–15; wrangle + -er 1; wrangler ( def. 1 ) originally horse-wrangler, probably partial translation of Mexican Spanish caballerango groom, stable boy, with -erango suggesting wrangler
Explanation
A wrangler primarily manages horses and livestock. The term can also describe a teacher skillfully controlling rowdy first graders, or even someone adept at handling disputes and arguments. The word wrangler comes from the Old High German wrangal, meaning "to struggle," reflecting the tough job of managing livestock. It typically describes those who care for horses or cattle. The term can also playfully refer to anyone skilled at handling noisy groups, like a teacher who masterfully manages a bunch of energetic children. When applied to someone argumentative, wrangler refers to a person who is passionate and loud in disputes, engaging in debates with the intensity of a cowboy managing unruly horses.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In a league where job security these days ranks somewhere between knife juggler and gator wrangler, the 44-year-old Spaniard is one of only three managers even hired before 2024.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
For now, the reporters are relegated to lower press — where a wrangler admitted in writing that they cannot speak on the record for the administration.
From Salon ● Nov. 7, 2025
Famed Australian crocodile wrangler Matt Wright has been found guilty of lying to police and pressuring a hospitalised witness after a fatal helicopter crash.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2025
Snake wrangler Danielle Wall has become a celebrity in California’s high desert.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2024
“Jubilee? Abby has been talking nonstop about you. I’m Frank: mayor’s husband, cook, dinosaur wrangler, and Abby’s dad. You hungry? I’m making burgers.”
From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry
Pilots warn their wranglers to avoid the temptation to inhale the escaping gas, noting that the “Alvin and the Chipmunks” voice isn’t worth the risk of fainting.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 25, 2025
Much attention so far has focused on A.I. wranglers like Buscaglia whose offerings can compete with those of human writers and illustrators.
From Slate ● May 21, 2025
“No. Sorry,” the official said, as another pooler noted that wranglers looked on “sheepishly.”
From Salon ● Feb. 15, 2025
Speaking from his vacation in Kyoto, Japan, Snow talked to The Envelope about teaming with storm chasers and data wranglers to craft the look of havoc-wreaking weather.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2024
Who in London cares about senior wranglers and double-firsts?
From The Bertrams by Anthony Trollope
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
